Super Rugby

Brumbies v Hurricanes Super Rugby Preview

TJ Perenara breaks through for the Hurricanes in last year's Semi-final

The Brumbies will be the first Australian Super Rugby team to play in the new Super Rugby format when they host last year’s Super Rugby finalists the Hurricanes.

When these teams met last the Hurricanes thumped the Brumbies 29-9 in the Wellington Semi-final which will mean the Brumbies will be up for revenge for ending their Super Rugby campaign.

The Hurricanes went on to host the Super Rugby final and were beaten by the Highlanders. This year they will attempt to “go one better” but they will have to do it without Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith so it will not be easy.

The Brumbies will go through a similar process next year as a number of their stalwarts such as Stephen Moore, Matt Toomua and possibly David Pocock will leave Canberra at the end of the season so this will be their last chance to do it together as the Brumbies.

Given the Hurricanes retirements it will take time for the new midfield to become as familiar as Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani are in the Brumbies back line.

Last week the Hurricanes hit their high in the pre-season as they beat the Crusaders 74-7 but pre-season can is almost impossible to read as two weeks earlier they were beaten by the Blues.

Overall the Brumbies have won 57% of their matches against the Hurricanes regardless of the venue but in Canberra they have won 64% of their matches against the Wellington side.

Stephen Moore will win his 150th Super Rugby cap which could give the etam something extra to play for.